Have you meant to try out car games on your Chromebook but didn’t know where to start? You’re not alone in this regard, as thousands of other curious gamers have found themselves in the same boat. This curated guide by Chrome Ready will list down the top 10 racing games you can play on your Chromebook for free, so you know what your options are and can be flexible with them. On a side note, check out the best Chromebooks for gaming.
Speaking of which, though, Chrome OS is great for gaming. We now have multiple instances that prove just that. Not only do we have a wealth of Android games to enjoy on this sleek operating system, but Steam is starting to gain a strong foothold in the realm of Chromebooks as well. The latter happens to be the world’s most famous game launcher of all time on PC, so it was only a matter of time before the developers decided to do something about getting Steam on Chrome OS.
Let’s dive into this guide without any further ado and pen down the most top-rated racing games available that can be enjoyed on your Chromebook.
- A must-read by Chrome Ready: How to optimize Chrome OS for gaming.
The best racing games to enjoy on Chrome OS
Before we get started with the list, it’s worth noting that you’ll be requiring the functionality of the Google Play Store on your Chromebook to download the forthcoming racing games.
If you’re not sure whether your device is compatible with Google Play, check out our guide on Chromebooks that run Android and Linux apps.
With that being said, the following is our round-up of the 10 best free racing games that you can play on your Chromebook for free.
1. Asphalt 9: Legends
Asphalt 9: Legends is the one that should start this list off. It’s free, it’s on Chromebook, and it’s definitely at the top of the list when it comes to the best racing games around. The title is the latest game to release in the Asphalt franchise by Gameloft, so you know how it’s at a higher level compared to other Asphalt games. With a plethora of updates and consistent content addition, you become the driver behind the wheel of more than 150 A-grade supercars.
And all that will take place in dynamically changing real-life locations. On top of the latter come the various playable maps that are included in Asphalt 9: Legends. These are mostly inspired by real-life locations that you’ll undoubtedly recognize if you’re fond of racing games. Moreover, many similarities are present between this title and other, more professional-grade ones, so this racing game does feel like a true package that’s simply second to none.
Furthermore, the title’s uniqueness is its implementation of the collision feature and several do-or-die scenarios that come across as exceptionally thrilling. What makes the gameplay of Asphalt 9: Legends even more enticing is that it’s not just an average car racing game. You can perform various stunts with your vehicle as you launch yourself in the sky and leave your opponents in the dust, beckoning to catch up to you but failing desperately.
Asphalt 9: Legends will present you with manual controls for competitive situations. In addition, if you’re a casual gamer who’s just looking for some fun, perhaps you’ll admire what the “TouchDrive” method of playing the title has to offer to you. Using the latter, you can automate vehicular controls and let the AI assist you in racing your friends. Still, if you believe that you’re a bit above this ultimately “easy mode,” do away manually and race like a true pro in Asphalt 9.
- If the game entices you to a fair extent, check out our full guide on how to play Asphalt 9: Legends on Chromebook for step-by-step instructions.
2. Real Racing 3
The second spot on the list goes to Real Racing 3, offering a premium-level racing experience on Chrome OS with optimized gameplay and high-class performance. This game has more than 100 million downloads on Google Play and features a whopping 6 million review count to boot. There is a sure-fire shortage of racing games that are as profound as the one in question, so we’re truly urging you to get the game on your Chromebook at this point.
Some of the major highlights of the title include officially licensed tracks with 40 circuits at 19 real-life locations. In addition, there are 43 different car grids and more than 250 precisely curated vehicles from the best manufacturers across the globe. The list of the latter involves the likes of Bugatti, Chevrolet, Aston Martin, Audi, Lamborghini, and Porsche. On top of these highlights are real-time multiplayer, social leaderboards, and a lot more from the side of Real Racing 3.
3. Traffic Rider
Traffic Rider is another racing game that fans of the genre will definitely pick up and enjoy on their Chromebooks. Unlike what we usually get with gaming titles of this category, this is, in fact, a bike racer with tons of thrill and excitement to boast in terms of the gameplay. To begin with, Traffic Rider features first-person mode and lets you embark on a motorcycling journey endlessly.
Speaking of which, there is a versatile array of different motorbikes to choose from—29, to be precise. In addition, if you’re a bike enthusiast, you’ll love the fact that the motor sounds included in the game are recorded from real bikes, so there’s definitely some semblance of authenticity in there. Whether you’d like to start a career or simply go around for a fun spin entirely boils down to you. We’re just going to leave this game in here for good measure.
Get Traffic Rider4. Drift Max Pro Car Racing Game
Drift Max Pro Car Racing Game might have a fairly long title to its name, but rest assured in knowing that this is a first-rate game to take for a spin on your Chromebook. The developers like to refer to this game as the ultimate real racing simulator that offers players realistic driving physics, quality graphics, and the thrill of finely tuned gameplay.
Speaking of tuning, your cars are your play machines in the world of Drift Max Pro Racing Game. That is to say, feel free in modifying your unlocked vehicles to your heart’s content as you drive around breathtaking landmarks in places like Japan, the United States, and Russia during the day or even at nighttime. Lastly, what we have here is an offline game, paying tribute to the legacy of all those titles that do not require an active internet connection after installation.
5. Earn to Die 2
Earn to Die 2 is the follow-up game to the original Earn to Die that came out way back in 2013. This one is actually free and is a pretty addictive, lightweight 2-dimensional game for your Chromebook. Embark as a lone fighter in a post-apocalyptic setting and plow through hordes of zombies until you run out of fuel. Race through the opposition and get better with each run.
The game has you hooked right from the get-go as you unlock better, more robust vehicles and purchase powerful abilities to aid you in battle. If you’re looking for some go-to racing action without having to download a large-sized, flashy game from the Google Play Store, Earn to Die 2 is your best bet.
6. Beach Buggy Blitz
Next up on the list, we have Beach Buggy Blitz as one of the most high-rated adventure-based games on the Google Play Store. The free racing style of play introduced in the game is fresh and unique, not to mention the eccentric cars with fun and exciting power-ups to use against your foes.
Contrary to most racing games, Beach Buggy Blitz does not feature a finishing line, so you can play for as long as you want without having to worry about the time running out. Try out this stylized single-player game for an entertaining experience that’s bound to stick with you for the days to come.
Get Beach Buggy Blitz7. Hill Climb Racing 2
Hill Climb Racing 2 is another action-packed racing game for your sleek, speedy Chromebook. At the time of writing this article, the game sits at the second-best spot in the “Racing” category. The aim of the title is to go uphill with more than 20 different vehicles to unlock, upgrade, and flex.
In addition, you can customize the look of your character and engage in weekly events to keep the fun rolling. Hill Climb Racing 2 features online modes of playing as well, so there’s truly never a dull moment with this one. Race your friends and come out on top in this endless 2D racer simulator.
8. Rebel Racing
Rebel Racing is another title that deserves an entry on this list. It features good graphics, realistic racing, and an appreciable assortment of different cars to keep the content evergreen. The title is made to be simple, so even if you’re not an ingrained player with tons of experience, Rebel Racing is going to feel like it was just made for you.
On the Google Play Store, you’ll find this racer garnering more than 10 million downloads on the fly. The file size, however, is considerably larger than some of the other titles you’ll spot on the list. However, the level and depth of graphics featured in Rebel Racing does make the half a GB file size well worth the justification.
9. Mario Kart Tour
Mario Kart Tour is an IP off of one of the most popular game franchises in the whole wide world. Anyone who has ever even remotely discussed gaming knows about Mario. This series first originated from the iconic Nintendo consoles way back at the dawn of gaming. Ever since then, all the best mainline Super Mario games have been booming in success without breaking a sweat.
As for this top-rated racing game at hand, Mario Kart Tour is commonly prevalent on the Google Play Store, boasting more than 100 million downloads and a swath of reviews lauded with praise. Being present on the Android app marketplace, you can quickly grab Mario Kart Tour on your Chromebook, provided that you’ve created a free Nintendo account and have a stable internet connection.
In this title, you can play as different characters and races worldwide, either in single-player mode or with other players online. Additionally, you’ll collect a wide variety of karts, badges, gliders, drivers, and other items on your journey to keep as your own and utilize them in the multiplayer mode of the game. Even a “Frenzy Mode” in Mario Kart Tour lets you become invulnerable for a brief period, thereby making your limited resource infinite in terms of its active duration.
10. CarX Highway Racing
CarX Highway Racing features realistic physics, online racing, and tons of cars to choose from. Prepare to delve inside a world of fast-paced action gameplay in many scenic real-life locations, such as Texas, Australia, France, and Russia. The game works in an optimized manner on Chromebooks, so you can expect nothing but the best from it.
Moreover, the title features a full campaign mode to uncover the dark, mysterious, and ostensibly illicit activities of a crime organization called Syndicate. Along the way, you get to make acquaintances that can help you achieve your mission objectives. We definitely recommend this title as one of the best free racing games on Chrome OS.
Conclusion
If you’re someone who’s fond of racing games, but cannot find a single decent title to try out on your trusty Chromebook, we understand the situation you’re in. At first, especially when you’re new to the operating system, it might be hard to get acquainted with the many different instances of Chrome OS. For example, if you haven’t even turned on the built-in Linux container on your Chromebook, the correct time to do it is right now.
We’ve listed some of the best entries on the marketplace for this Chromebook guide, so you actually have some high-quality racing-centric titles to try on your device. Our personal favorite of the bunch is Asphalt 9: Legends simply because we just cannot get enough of all the fun it brings to the table. If you want to take your experience to the next level though, make sure you’re using a high-performance Chromebook for the best results.
Do let us know down in the comments section what Chromebook racing game did the job for you. As always, Chrome Ready wishes you good luck!
- For general reading: Top 15 Google Play Store games for Chromebooks.